By Emmanuel Iheaka
The youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Franklin-Kennedy Ibeh, has condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals of African descent in South Africa.
Ibeh, in a statement issued in Owerri on Thursday, accused the administration of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of failing to adequately address the recurring attacks.
He said South Africa’s founding leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Mama Winnie Mandela and Mvumbi Luthuli, would be disappointed by the current situation in the country.
“As the Imo State Youth Leader and President of Duruiheoma Group, I condemn the ongoing xenophobic attacks against Africans living in South Africa,” he said.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa-led government and the ANC have failed. Late South African leaders like Oliver Tambo, Luthuli, Nelson Mandela and Mama Winnie Mandela must be turning in their graves over this shameful development, especially at a time when dismantling colonial-era borders should unite Africa.”
He also criticised sections of the South African population, saying their frustrations should be directed at their leaders rather than innocent foreign nationals contributing to economic activity in the country.
“The unfortunate situation in South Africa is clearly a result of leadership failure. Instead of directing anger appropriately, some citizens are targeting innocent non-South Africans who are engaged in legitimate businesses and contributing to the economy,” he said.
Ibeh called for an immediate end to xenophobic violence and urged Africans to promote peace, economic cooperation and political tolerance across the continent.
